Schenley and Peabody no more (Oliver, Oakland: how much, home, neighborhood)

[nuwaver88]

These two city public high schools were arguably the two most notable high schools in the city, yet they are the ones to close. Meanwhile, less notable ones like Langley, Carrick, and Oliver remain open. Am I missing something or is the reason that they are closing is their size and prominence, hence, are too expensive to operate, as opposed to a Langley or an Oliver. I do not understand. Anybody?

[gg]

Schenley was such a beautiful building. (and no I am not talking about the so-called new Schenley) Of course they used the old pathetic excuse that they are using for the Civic Arena. Oh, it is in such disrepair, blah, blah, blah. It was an awesome place. I have had some dealings with Schenley and know it pretty well. I don't think the grads these days had some great education because the home life of so many of the kids was more about survival, but they offered some cool classes like Japanese. It really saddened me when they sold that great building, but what can you do. Someone's palm was greased.

City schools are going through some interesting growing pains. I would have liked them to keep Schenley's building because it showed some pride compared to that dump on Penn Ave., but what can you do? Guess the last famous person was Dejuan Blair to graduate from there. There have been many famous people that have graduated from that place. Quite a history and it was the first million dollar school built in the US. NO MORE!

[I_Like_Spam]

The city has been closing high schools for years, when I graduated Langley in 1974 there were 13 high schools.

Gladstone, 5th Ave, Allegheny, South Hills, South have all bit the dust already.

Schenley no longer has a building, and the school board is committed to reintroducing Westinghouse as twin single sex schools and is in relatively close proximity to Peabody.

Closing Carrick or Langley would mean much longer trips to school for those children which would might well involve downtown traffic.

[gg]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

The city has been closing high schools for years, when I graduated Langley in 1974 there were 13 high schools.

Gladstone, 5th Ave, Allegheny, South Hills, South have all bit the dust already.

Schenley no longer has a building, and the school board is committed to reintroducing Westinghouse as twin single sex schools and is in relatively close proximity to Peabody.

Closing Carrick or Langley would mean much longer trips to school for those children which would might well involve downtown traffic.

So, what is your take on all this? Sure you say the intent, but do you have an opinion on the subject? I think single sex schools would be a good idea for some of these schools. That could be a good thing.

[I_Like_Spam]

I think the single sex school concept is worthwhile to try.

Its worked fine over the years for Central and St. Paul's Cathedral and other schools as well.

Some of the city schools have real problems with achievement, and eliminating some of the distractions could help a lot of these students regain focus.

[gg]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

I think the single sex school concept is worthwhile to try.

Its worked fine over the years for Central and St. Paul's Cathedral and other schools as well.

Some of the city schools have real problems with achievement, and eliminating some of the distractions could help a lot of these students regain focus.

True, but the home life for so many of these kids is about survival, not books. Of course anything could help. It has about no where to go but up, I mean how much worse can some of these schools get? Wish there was more money in the city, so there could be better schools. Guess the burbs will continue to do much better, but maybe someday.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

I think the single sex school concept is worthwhile to try.

Its worked fine over the years for Central and St. Paul's Cathedral and other schools as well.

Some of the city schools have real problems with achievement, and eliminating some of the distractions could help a lot of these students regain focus.

Central and Oakland have a very different mentality however than Westinghouse. I doubt most kids of parents who can afford the $8000 tuition of those two school have as many problems and issues as those in inner city school.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

Central and Oakland have a very different mentality however than Westinghouse. I doubt most kids of parents who can afford the $8000 tuition of those two school have as many problems and issues as those in inner city school.

I don't see it as all due to the fact that the students at Westinghouse are economically deprived.

It wasn't that long ago that schools like Central had large numbers of poor immigrant students who still did well in school.

This plan could be a good first step in returning to a better standard of scholarship at the 'House.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

I don't see it as all due to the fact that the students at Westinghouse are economically deprived.

It wasn't that long ago that schools like Central had large numbers of poor immigrant students who still did well in school.

This plan could be a good first step in returning to a better standard of scholarship at the 'House.

I was also looking at the discipline part of the equation too. I think at Central they will kick you out if you don't keep a passing GPA and I couldn't see Central or Oakland taking any of the stuff that generally happens in inner city schools stereo-typically. You will get suspended or expelled at Central and Oakland if you're a problem student and it's not as easy to do that I'd imagine at your neighborhood city high school.

[MathmanMathman]

I think Schenley is close to Pitt? Pitt could make the best use of it and keep it as an academic building....as long as they promise not to demolish it.